Scars Board decisions

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for scar status post left knee surgery is denied.,Service connection for a psychiatric disability, to include depression, is denied.,The claim for service connection for a trachea disorder secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for the left knee disabilities are remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claim for his lumbar spine disability prior to March 26, 2019 is remanded.,The Veteran's increased rating claims for radiculopathy of both lower extremities are remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for increased urinary frequency as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's service connection claim for erectile dysfunction as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine DDD and spondylosis is remanded.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for verification of post-1973 periods of military service and associated records, as well as obtaining missing therapy records related to a PTSD increased rating claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's scars and his combat status in Vietnam. The Veteran is asked to provide more information about his reported scars, including photographs or medical reports, and VA will attempt to verify his combat service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period prior to May 5, 2015, and basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefits for the same period. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities included lumbar spine spondylosis, degenerative disc disease, right cubital tunnel syndrome, left cubital tunnel syndrome, PTSD, left shoulder degenerative joint disease, left elbow degenerative joint disease and tendinosis, a lumbar scar, left second metacarpophalangeal joint post traumatic arthritis, and an abdominal scar. The decision is based on the Veteran's inability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to May 18, 2019.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities, especially the right hand neuropathy and scars on the right forearm, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and unclear evidence regarding his claimed disabilities. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records, and a comprehensive physical and mental health examination will be conducted to determine if any of the claimed conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his low back and knee conditions, have resulted in the need for regular assistance with activities of daily living. The Board has found that these conditions meet the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, coronary artery disease, and gunshot wounds to the hip and leg, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Veteran's lower intergluteal cleft scar is manifested by, at worst, a single scar which is painful and unstable. The Veteran's lower intergluteal cleft scar is also manifested by underlying soft tissue damage with a total area of 9 sq. cm.,The Veteran is in receipt of a noncompensable rating for her scar of the lower intergluteal cleft, as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 7801.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left foot disorders, including flat feet, plantar fasciitis, and degenerative arthritis. The decision remains pending as it is not clear whether service connection will be granted or denied.

The Veteran's appeals for initial compensable ratings for post-operative scars on his lower extremities and for higher ratings for his right and left knee disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these claims prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for TBI prior to February 15, 2021, and in excess of 70 percent for PTSD, MDD, and TBI thereafter is dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is denied.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for a painful right knee scar is granted at 10 percent prior to October 26, 2020. From October 26, 2020, the rating remains at 10 percent. A compensable evaluation for sinusitis throughout the appeal period is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to March 18, 2020.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as left flank/lower back pain, is granted service connection. The rating for his kidney disability remains at 10 percent and the scar associated with his kidney surgery is also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including new VA examinations to assess the current level of severity of the Veteran's lumbar spine disability and right inguinal hernia repair scar. The effective dates for service connection are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of his respiratory disabilities, including COPD, borderline restrictive lung disease, pleural effusions, and scarring. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or service-connected coronary artery disease.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be reexamined in order to reassess the severity of his left foot disability and consequent scars, as the current evidence is too old to adequately evaluate these conditions.